X Auctions Unused Usernames Through Handle Marketplace

X Opens Bidding for Unused Usernames Through Handle Marketplace

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: October 21, 2025

Key Takeaways

X has launched a test version of Handle Marketplace, where paying users can request or buy inactive usernames;
Premium+ members can request high-demand handles for free, while others may buy certain usernames outright;
Rare usernames could sell for $2,500 to over $1 million, with value tied to name length, demand, and cultural relevance.

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Social media platform X has launched a new feature that allows users to request and buy usernames that are no longer active.

The feature, "Handle Marketplace", is currently being tested and is only available to paying subscribers.

It is designed to give users a chance to claim usernames that are no longer in use.

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Users can sign up to be notified about upcoming opportunities to claim these handles, explore inactive accounts, and make requests through their Premium plans.

Those with a Premium+ subscription can submit free requests for high-demand usernames. Others can choose to buy certain usernames outright.

According to a report from TechCrunch, the price for rare usernames can range from $2,500 to over $1 million. Value depends on how short the name is, how popular it might be, and whether it holds any cultural meaning.

Although X has not disclosed the number of usernames available through this system, the platform is estimated to have 557 million active users as of early 2025. The number of inactive accounts that might be eligible has not been disclosed.

Although X manages the system and does not follow a decentralized model like some blockchain projects, it still views online identity as something that can be owned and traded.

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